Key Issues

The course will focus on the links between trade, investment, finance and development, in the context of international trade negotiations.

Its aims are to:

(a) Enhance the understanding of the interrelationships among these areas and their link to countries' development strategies

(b) Provide participants with knowledge and skills for the design and implementation of trade and development policies, as well as for trade negotiations corresponding to the needs and interests of their countries.

The course syllabus will draw on UNCTAD's analytical work and the lessons learned from its technical cooperation activities, with input from the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UNESCWA) as well as national experts.

The course is mainly aimed at government officials in ministries and institutions dealing with trade, investment, finance and development issues, and involved in formulating and implementing national trade and development policies. As appropriate, and depending upon the availability of seats, other applicants such as academics from universities could be also considered.

The course will be given in English. The Diplomatic Institute, Ministry of Foreign Affairs will make available simultaneous interpretation into Arabic.

UNCTAD member States with economies in transition are invited to nominate qualified candidates, who will be examined by an UNCTAD selection committee. Nominations will be accepted until 24 August 2012.

Member States and successful candidates will be notified of the committee's decisions by 7 September 2012.

Member States are encouraged to nominate more than one candidate per country, in which case they may wish to rank the candidates. The selection committee will take this ranking into consideration, provided that the preferred candidates meet the eligibility criteria.

An outline of the course syllabus, which provides a detailed list of topics and learning objectives (P166.2012.TS. 2) is attached, along with the application guidelines (P166.2012.AG. 2) and application form (P166.2012.AF.2). Candidates will be considered only if the guidelines and application procedures are followed properly.

For additional information, please contact:

Knowledge Sharing, Training and Capacity Development BranchDivision on Technology and LogisticsUNCTAD